Hyman renewed as City Colleges chancellor

City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Cheryl Hyman will continue at the helm of the city’s public community college system for three more years.

The City Colleges Board of Trustees pointed to the Northwestern University alum and former corporate executive’s work with turning around the embattled city college system in renewing her contract. Hyman was one of a few city agency heads retained by Mayor Rahm Emanuel as he took office in 2011. She spearheaded the CCC’s “Reinvention” project, which city leaders have dubbed a success — even as the initiative continues to unfold.

“The Reinvention of City Colleges of Chicago, launched by Chancellor Hyman just three years ago, already has yielded dramatic results for our students and our city as a whole. The graduation rate is up four points and degrees conferred are up 80 percent. Through the College to Careers initiative launched by the Mayor and Chancellor, we are making programs more relevant to the needs of employers to ensure Chicagoans seize the jobs of today and tomorrow. This has been achieved with a balanced budget – including $41 million in savings – and without raising taxes. The Board is proud of this record and credits Chancellor Hyman’s strong leadership and commitment to student success for these positive reforms. We have confidence that Chancellor Hyman is the right leader to build on this early success and continue the Reinvention of City Colleges of Chicago.”